p.1 #1 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
This is merely a question of curiosity... I am about to leave for work, so y'all have eight hours to either tell me I am a complete moron for even asking, or to give me your answers... keep in mind, I won't judge or think you're shallow for doing what you must to make your career go better... and I hope others won't either.. but I want to know.
Do you put any more effort into selling yourself to a couple that could be considered very physically attractive than you do to a couple that is by society's standards average looking.. or worse?
I guess once your portfolio is very well established, it might not matter as much... but how does the appearance of the bride and groom play a role in the way you sell your service.. or does it play a role at all?
p.1 #3 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
I don't think it plays a role in my salesmanship (if you could call it that) at all, the "Ken & Barbie" couples make the job easier but when you mess up on of their shots it really makes me really angry...should ahve been an easy shot! I really enjoy it though when you get that couple that is a challenge to make "look good" and you nail it so well that they are estatic with your work...makes you all warm & fuzzy inside...
p.1 #4 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
I think it's a fair question. Good looking or commercial looking people will definitely help you sell your photography to a certain point. However, I total agree with Jet. It is more of a challenge to make a normal looking couple looking great. This can be a selling point also. It will make you work harder and make you a better photographer at the end of the day.
p.1 #5 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
I'm decent in sales but my girl's appearance really helps close the deals that are done on-the-road. Wearing a nice executive suit and driving her nice car gets us about 50% of the contracts I'd say. The other half just love the pictures and professionalism combined.
And when you're performing in a wedding, nobody will talk bad about the photographer who wore a nice suit or a nice shirt with dress pants. But don't expect not to hear anything when the photographer wore faded jeans with white gym sneakers and a teal shirt.
p.1 #6 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
Italo Campilii wrote:
And when you're performing in a wedding, nobody will talk bad about the photographer who wore a nice suit or a nice shirt with dress pants. But don't expect not to hear anything when the photographer wore faded jeans with white gym sneakers and a teal shirt.
I use to wear a nice long-sleeve shirt and tie, but I gave that up for black polo shirts to go with my black pants and black dress shoes. It's way more comfortable to shoot several hours in and I don't get quite as hot or sweaty. I haven't heard anything yet from clients, but I haven't exactly shot a TON of weddings, either.
Although, I still ask them if my attire is OK and suitable for their wedding.
p.1 #7 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
K1n3t1k,
It depends on occasion. I normally go dressed nicely without tie, and a jacket during winter. But now that it's summer it's more casual, just never jeans. In my opinion you make a better impression with what you wear for potential referrals during the wedding. You have to remember guests aren't exactly going to see the final album, instead, they will remember how the photographer behaved and what he/she was wearing.
Jun 10, 2008 at 06:16 PM
hassy501 Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #8 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
Appearances mean all the world when meeting clients for the first time.......it sets the tone along with your surroundings.........I.E. studio, office etc.......music, lighting, furniture........
People do judge you by what you wear, especially when you are trying to sell them something so special for thousands of dollars, and they have to decide whether they want YOU on their wedding day to be a part of it........
p.1 #9 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
Hells yea it plays a big role...it also sets the tone in branding yourself and your business..You role up in a benz to them you would look like a superstar photographer..
It's all about creating the consumers persperctive..there's a name for it, but I forget..
An example would be like Pink's Hotdog in LA...It's just a hot dog stand, but people will think of it as a bada$$ joint to eat when they see the line stretching down the street
First impressions....applies to everything, not only to the ladiess...
p.1 #10 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
There are two questions being answered here, one of which was asked.
1. All other things equal, a physically attractive couple IS more desirable to book. They will more easily give you more and better portfolio shots, which in turn means you are better able to sell yourself to future prospects.
p.1 #12 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
1st impressions are only done once, but I think the overall personality and coolness outweigh dress appearance any day. But, I do try and dress nice for meetings, and of course for weddings.
p.1 #14 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
Im alot younger than most photogs here so I always wear a nice dress shirt, tie, slacks and nice dress shoes. It may get uncomfortable at times but I figured its worth it since I have to sell myself a bit harder as being a "professional"
p.1 #15 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
I find it humorous (or humourous for our friends across the pond) that only three people really answered the question, and the other answered what they THOUGHT the question was.
The question was about the appearance of the bride and groom.
The question was NOT about the appearance of the photographer.
A good looking subject is always beneficial to a portfolio. However, taking an average looking subject and making them look beautiful in the photos will help seal the deal for the average looking customers. And, let's face it, there are more average looking customers than above average. Proof by statistics.
p.1 #16 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
I'm more interested in whether their check clears the bank than if they're carrying a couple extra pounds... some bags under the eyes... a bald spot on top... etc. Of course there's something to be said for shooting a "smoking hot" couple, but average and ugly people need good photography too.
It really opens some other interesting considerations. If you sell harder to attractive couples, do you only show good looking couples in your portfolio?
p.1 #17 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
I'm no different regardless of who's in front of me. The appearance isn't as important as the attitude. If I'm uncomfortable with the way a bride or groom (or mother) acts, I'm more likely to cut back on my charisma or call the interview short (only once have I been bold enough to actually say that I didn't want the wedding). Looks? No biggie.
Jun 10, 2008 at 11:02 PM
hassy501 Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #18 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
As long as their cash is green or their check clears i'm in the car with them......being that all else is compatible.........LOOKS don't matter to ME..........
p.1 #19 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
Okay... I'm glad someone pointed out halfway through that some people had entire ignored the actual question I asked and started answering an entirely different one (the answer to which was pretty obvious anyway)
Thanks for getting it back on track Ryan and John
Okay.. so the general consensus is pretty mixed...
Yeah, I see how shooting an average couple and making them look great could benefit you more than shooting two people that were hotties anyway.
I know I've always been impressed with what the good photographers do with me :P
And hassy... looks may not matter to you personally... but the question was whether or not from a professional standpoint it is to your advantage to book more attractive couples... although, as it has been pointed out, average and below average lookin people need wedding photographers too...
So, the natural next question is... are there some couples you'd never put in your portfolio for the sake of the fact that while you may have taken excellent pictures, they just don't look good enough?
Jun 10, 2008 at 11:48 PM
hassy501 Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #20 · How do appearances play a role in your selling yourself?
rosanegra wrote:
Okay... I'm glad someone pointed out halfway through that some people had entire ignored the actual question I asked and started answering an entirely different one (the answer to which was pretty obvious anyway)
Thanks for getting it back on track Ryan and John
Okay.. so the general consensus is pretty mixed...
Yeah, I see how shooting an average couple and making them look great could benefit you more than shooting two people that were hotties anyway.
I know I've always been impressed with what the good photographers do with me :P
And hassy... looks may not matter to you personally... but the question was whether or not from a professional standpoint it is to your advantage to book more attractive couples... although, as it has been pointed out, average and below average lookin people need wedding photographers too...
So, the natural next question is... are there some couples you'd never put in your portfolio for the sake of the fact that while you may have taken excellent pictures, they just don't look good enough?
